The stars aligned on this poster!
About a month before Union Pacific’s Big Boy 2014 made it to Steamtown National Historic Site for a two-week visit, my sister sent me a video she shot of BB rolling through Elkhorn, Nebraska from a few years ago. “Oh shit, here it comes!” started the video and then the massive steam engine powered through with that awesome haunting whistle. Like it came out of a Time Machine.
That video and quote inspired my letterpress poster. I was so hoping I had the right letters from my big display type, and yes, I had two Bs! My intent was only to make a few to give to the family since my dad was a UP engineer (based out of Omaha) and to celebrate the visit to Scranton.
I had no idea of the excitement this train was creating coming to the East coast for the first time–coast to coast in celebration of 250 years of the United States. As I followed its progress on Facebook, I realized how many people were chasing the train and that it was actually going to pass steps away from my house! I also got tickets to see the train at Steamtown–3x!
That same sister and brother-in-law just so happened to be visiting during the Big Boy reunion. We went to Steamtown on the Tuesday when it was super busy and tried to buy shirts, but the line was way too long. So we went back Friday and I brought some posters with me to give to the crew…and lucky me, engineer Ed Dickens was right in front of me and I was able to gift him the posters. I couldn’t have planned it any better!
I went down one more time to Steamtown before 4014 left, specifically to look for some inspiration for a follow up piece–most likely will be screen printed. The 4012 was moved forward so both Big Boys were lined up and the shot from the front is my point of inspiration and will see how this evolves.
I did end up reprinting the letterpress posters at a smaller size (12″x18″) as I sold out of them. I have a few left at On&On and at my shop if anyone is still interested.
Big thanks to all those hard working UP crew members who made this possible.
Tribute to my dad, Rex.
